archives

o MP3.com Shareholders Approve Acquisition by Vivendi Universal
o Russian Programmer Sklyarov, Software Firm Indicted by Grand Jury
o TiVo Raises $51.75 Million Through Private Placement
o Study: 61% of U.S. Households Online, One in Four via Broadband
o Gator Files Suit to Protect Legality of Banner-Blocking Pop-Ups
o Video Game Retailer GameStop Files for IPO
> Tomorrow: Microsoft vs. AOL Panel | Virginia [panelists added]
> DMW Panel Discussion: iTV | Sept. 5 | New York
o Briefly Noted: In Demand - Columbia Tristar, Infotects - Gracenote, Boxx
Technologies, Premier Retail Networks
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> Job Postings: Producer/Consultant, Sr. Business Strategist, Website
Design/Marketing,Director of Strategic Sales

> Events/Services: "Cellheads Networking Event - Sept. 11, L.A.,"
"Hi-Tech Mission to Israel, Oct. 20-28," "SHORTSPAN Film & Video
Festival: SOUTHEAST Tour, August 24- Sept. 22"

Full Job/Event/Services descriptions listed below "Briefly Noted" section
or at http://www.digitalmediawire.com/postings.html

To Post a Job: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobs.html
To Post an Event/Service: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events.html
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o MP3.com Shareholders Approve Acquisition by Vivendi Universal

San Diego -- MP3.com shareholders have voted to approve the acquisition of
the company by Vivendi Universal for $372 million in cash and stock.
Sixty-eight percent of San Diego-based MP3.com's shareholders voted for
the transaction, which will bring the company under the wing of Vivendi's
Universal Music Group. Previously, Vivendi said that MP3.com CEO Michael
Robertson would become a special adviser to Vivendi CEO Jean-Marie
Messier, and that MP3.com's distribution technology would serve as the
infrastructure for the company's subscription service joint venture with
Sony Music, Pressplay. The company also will maintain its San Diego
headquarters. The Pressplay subscription service is expected to launch by
late summer.
http://www.mp3.com
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o Russian Programmer Sklyarov, Software Firm Indicted by Grand Jury

San Jose, Calif. -- A U.S. grand jury on Tuesday indicted Russian
programmer Dmitry Sklyarov and his company Elcomsoft on charges of
trafficking and conspiracy to traffic in a copyright circumvention device.
The five-count indictment means that if found guilty, Sklyarov -- who
wrote a software program that can break the security technology on
Adobe's eBook Reader -- could face up to twenty-five years and a fine of
up to $2.25 million. "Even if one were to ignore the serious legal
questions involving the [Digital Millennium Copyright Act], this case
hardly cries out for criminal prosecution, said Sklyarov attorney Joseph
M. Burton. "Sklyarov's and Elcomsoft's actions are not conduct that
Congress intended to criminalize. We will vigorously contest these
charges." The Russian company that distributed the software, Elcomsoft,
faces a fine of up to $2.5 million. Sklyarov is scheduled to be arraigned
on Thursday morning in San Jose.
http://www.eff.org/IP/DMCA/US_v_Sklyarov/20010828_eff_sklyarov_elcomsoft_pr.html
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o TiVo Raises $51.75 Million Through Private Placement

San Jose, Calif. -- TiVo, a manufacturer of personal video recorders that
allow viewers to pause and record live television, said on Wednesday that
it has raised $51.75 million through a private placement of its stock. The
company -- which plans to issue its quarterly earnings report on Wednesday
-- did not say how it plans to use the proceeds.
http://www.tivo.com
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o Study: 61% of U.S. Households Online, One in Four via Broadband

San Jose, Calif. -- Sixty-five million U.S. households, or 61 percent of
the total number of U.S. households are actively accessing the Internet,
according to a consumer survey recently conducted by Gartner's Dataquest.
An increase of 8.4 million total online households was reported since
November 2000. One in four households connects using some form of
high-speed access, with cable modem connections making up half of this
number. Ninety percent of online households surveyed said they were likely
to continue their Internet subscription. "There is no indication that this
demand [for Internet access] will abate over the next 12 months," said
Gartner analyst Amanda Sabia. "An even higher growth rate for broadband
connectivity would be achievable if the regional Bell operating companies
were deploying DSL more aggressively." Nearly 20 percent of dial-up
households said they expect to subscribe to some form of high-speed
connectivity by mid-2002.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010829/292017.html
http://www.dataquest.com
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o Gator Files Suit to Protect Legality of Banner-Blocking Pop-Ups

San Francisco -- Gator, a provider of Internet ad technology that serves
banner ads which pop-up to obscure the existing banner ads on websites,
has sued the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) in an attempt to
establish the legality of its controversial service, CNET reported. "By
placing ads on other companies' Web sites without their authorization,
this deceives the consumer by visually altering the Web sites; it falsely
suggests some affiliation between the Gator ads and the host Web site, and
it interferes with the revenues of the Web sites," IAB CEO Robin Webster
told CNET. Redwood City-based Gator has sued the IAB for declaratory
relief and punitive damages under the Lanham Act, the Declaratory Judgment
Act and California state and common laws. Gator claims that the IAB
"maliciously disparaged" the company, in addition to "falsely asserting
that certain aspects of [the] service are unlawful, unethical and
deceptive." If the two sides are unable to negotiate a settlement, the IAB
said it will consider filing a complaint with the FTC alleging Gator is
engaging in unfair business practices.
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-6995976.html?tag=cd_mh
http://www.gator.com
http://www.iab.net
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o Video Game Retailer GameStop Files for IPO

New York -- GameStop, a division of Barnes and Noble that sells video
games both online and in retail stores, has filed for a $325 million
initial public offering. The company operates 990 retail stores in North
America under the names Babbage's, FuncoLand, GameStop and Software Etc.
It also operates GameStop.com and publishes the magazine Game Informer.
Texas-based GameStop will use $250 million of the proceeds to repay debt
owed to Barnes and Noble and plans to use the rest for working capital to
grow the company.
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/f_headline.cgi?bw.082301/212352106&ticker=BKS
http://www.gamestop.com
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> Digital Media Wire Presents a Panel Discussion:
"Microsoft vs. AOL: The Battle of the Internet Titans"

McLean, VA | Thursday, August 30th at The Ritz-Carlton, Tyson's Corner

This panel of journalists, policymakers and others will discuss the
increasing rivalry between these two monolithic companies -- and how their
competition will affect the development of the Internet for years to come.
For more information and to register:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/DCbattle.html

MODERATOR:
Paul Sherman - Editor | Potomac Tech Wire

SPEAKERS:
Arnold Kling - Author | "Under the Radar"
Declan McCullagh - Washington Bureau Chief | Wired News
Edmund Sanders - Staff Writer | Los Angeles Times
Bill Whyman - President | Precursor Group
Jonathan Zuck - President | Association for Competitive Technology

SPONSOR: National Journal's Technology Daily

MEDIA SPONSOR: Potomac Tech Wire

For more information and to register:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/DCbattle.html
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> Digital Media Wire & iLounge Present a Panel Discussion:
"iTV: Defining the New Face of Television"

NYC | Wednesday, September 5th at the Verizon Headquarters

This panel of players ranging from content providers to middleware
developers will discuss the new face of television, which will include an
amalgam of services like email, IPGs (interactive program guides), PVRs
(personal video recorders), enhanced TV, etc., and what it means for
Hollywood, the tech industry and most importantly, the consumer.
For more information and to register:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/NYCitv.html

MODERATOR:
Lydia Loizides - Senior Analyst | Jupiter Media Metrix

SPEAKERS:
Sean Bratches - EVP, Affiliate Sales & Marketing | ESPN
Gerard Kunkel - President | WorldGate Communications
Tim Larcombe - Regional President iTV, North America | AGENCY.com
David Nathanson - VP, Broadband Strategy & Channel Development | FOX
***Additional Panelists TBA***

SPONSOR: Verizon

For more information and to register:
http://www.digitalmediawire.com/NYCitv.html
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o Briefly Noted:

(Culver City, Calif.) Cable TV pay-per-view provider In Demand said on
Wednesday that it has extended its pay-per-view relationship with movie
studio Columbia Tristar, which will now include providing movies for
video-on-demand services. Culver City-based In Demand provides
pay-per-view such as championship boxing and other sporting events in
addition to movies to digital cable subscribers, and has begun to offer
video-on-demand services as well.
http://www.indemand.com

(Beaverton, Ore.) Infotects, a developer of custom software for the
digital media industry, announced on Wednesday that it will provide its
CDKey technology to music database provider Gracenote. Oregon-based
Infotects's CDKey allows exclusive bonus material -- such as extra tracks,
videos, coupons and discounts -- to be added to CDs and made accessible
only through verification at an online site. Both Island Records and Def
Jam Records have used the technology to add promotional features to retail
album releases. Berkeley-based Gracenote provides music software that
recognizes a CD placed in a CD-ROM drive by comparing it with an online
database.
http://www.infotects.com
http://www.gracenote.com

(Austin, Texas) Boxx Technologies, a provider of digital filmmaking
hardware and software, announced on Wednesday that it has appointed Rick
Krause as president and CEO. Most recently, Krause was vice president of
operations and sales at Canada-based Trademart Technologies. Former
president and CEO Todd Bryant will assume the role of chief technology
officer. Austin-based Boxx Technologies provides digital content creation
and distribution systems for both Windows and Linux.
http://www.boxxtech.com

(San Francisco) Premier Retail Networks, a provider of interactive product
placements and news and information on televisions in retail stores,
announced on Wednesday that it has promoted company president Charlie
Nooney to the additional role of CEO. San Francisco-based Premier Retail
Networks delivers news and ads to televisions placed in stores including
Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Sears and Footaction.
http://www.prn.com

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Job Postings:
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To Post Jobs: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/jobs.html

> Strategux, Producer/Consultant - Washington, DC

Strategux is seeking to add a producer to our growing team of experienced
architects. Versatile, multi-talented consultants with 3-5 years agency
experience in project leadership of large-scale web, brand, marketing &
design engagements, with emphasis on client services and consulting. Great
benefits, fun atmosphere.
Send resumes to: cooljobs@strategux.com
http://www.strategux.com
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> DF Consulting, Inc., Sr. Business Strategist - New York City

Contract Consultant needed with at least 4-5 years of business strategy
and planning or bizdev exp. working with either a cell phone manufacturer
or wireless telecommunications carrier. Applicants must be able to produce
case studies and references. A wide variety of bizdev/ business strategy
and planning disciplines related to wireless telecommunications
is a plus. Send resumes to: seisenberg@dfconsulting.com
http://www.dfconsulting.com
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> InternetFuel.com, Website Design/Marketing - Los Angeles

We are a marketing firm looking for an experienced and motivated Webmaster
with a background in web and print design. You must have an excellent
working knowledge of Photoshop, HTML and JavaScript on a PC platform (Mac
available). Duties include: Webpage design & maintenance, online/print
advertising and creative marketing.
Send resumes to: jobs@internetfuel.com
http://www.internetfuel.com
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> National Hockey League, Director of Strategic Sales - New York City

Generate revenue via the sale of online advertising and sponsorships to
league sponsors and non-league prospects. The director will be required to
identify and create sales opportunities, follow up on targeted contacts
and close deals. Must have strong understanding of the Internet and
successful sales strategies, experience in sports and/or entertainment,
and demonstrated advertising sales and marketing accomplishments.
Send resumes to: knova@nhl.com
http://www.nhl.com

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Events/Services Postings:
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To Post Events/Services: http://www.digitalmediawire.com/events.html

> Cellheads Networking Event, September 11, 2001 - Los Angeles

AT&T Wireless, Wireless Week, TeleCommunication Systems and Personal
Communications Industry Association will sponsor the Cellheads networking
event at the Gallery Bar in the Biltmore Hotel from 6pm to 9pm (cash bar).
These events are designed to capture the minds of all interested in
wireless technology in the Los Angeles area. Don't miss an excellent
opportunity for business development, recruitment, and intellectual
engagements.
For more information: jason.gildea@attws.com
http://www.cellheads.com
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> Hi-Tech Mission to Israel, October 20 - 28, 2001 - Israel

Visit Israel's booming hi-tech industry. Discover the latest advances in
hardware, software and bio-technology. Participate in the 6th Annual
Israel Business Forum with speakers: Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Marshall
Butler, Ronald Cohen, David Colburn, Michael Dell, Andy Grove, Ronald
Lauder, Gerald Levine, Morris Levy, Les Wexner and Lord Young.
For more information: tkardash@jewishla.org
http://www.jewishla.org/html/hitechmission.htm
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> SHORTSPAN Film & Video Festival, SOUTHEAST Tour, Aug. 24 - Sept. 22

SHORT MOVIES! Dreamspan presents the 9TH Annual Short Attention Span Film & Video Festival. Shortspan is a non-stop two hour program of ALL NEW
two-minute-or-shorter films, including ultra-short documentaries like
"Peekaboo Sunday," a story about raising miniature horses or "Exotic
World," an inside look at the lives of some of America's first burlesque
performers-- and 57 more shorts! The tour will travel to 30 North American
cities. Southeastern tour dates include:

ATLANTA, GA: The Atlanta Contemporary Arts Center - August 24th - 8PM
ATHENS, GA: The Georgia Museum of Art - September 5 th - 7:30PM
ATLANTA, GA: Cinefest Theatre- September 14th and 15th - 9PM/12PM
ATHENS, GA: The Georgia Theater - September 18th - 10PM
SAVANNAH, GA: Trustee's Theater - September 20 th - 9PM
GAINSVILLE, FL: The University of Florida - September 22nd

More info: http://www.dreamspan.com/shortspan
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Copyright 2001 Digital Media Wire